by Mindi Popovich-Schneider

Goshen, Migdol, Midian, Moab…these names may be familiar to you, but could you find them on a map? This month, as we study the Book of Exodus and its context, we’ll be looking at geography–specifically the Israelites’ route through their desert wanderings.

Read the following verses and make a list of all the places named.

Exodus 13:18-20
Exodus 14:2-3
Exodus 17:1
Exodus 19:1-2
Numbers 33:15-35

Next, look up the locations of those places using an encyclopedia, if possible. If you do not have an encyclopedia available or cannot find the places mentioned, this map from OpenBible might be helpful.

Print off the blank map on the next page and map out each location mentioned in the verses. You might find it helpful to number them as you go. Once you’ve mapped them all out, draw arrows showing their route.
Once you’ve labeled all the places mentioned, try to calculate how many miles they traveled! Keep in mind that the Nile Delta is about 100 miles long.

After you’ve printed the map, use a ruler to find how long the Delta is on your paper (for example, 100 miles = 1 inch).
Measure the arrows you drew to find the approximate length of their journey. For example, if you found a total of 12 inches (including the times they went back and forth), their journey would be 1,200 miles long!

As we journey through Lent, remember the long, tiring journey of the Israelites and run with rejoicing to the promise of our Lord’s glorious Pascha!